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True Blood star Kristin Bauer is asking the European Commission to uphold the 2013 marketing ban on cosmetics tested on animals. She wrote a letter urging Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli to keep the EU on the path to cruelty-free cosmetics testing.

No animal should suffer and die to test lipstick or eye shadow. That’s why I’m writing to urge you to keep the European Union on the path to modern, innovative cosmetics testing. Please maintain the EU’s 2013 deadline for banning the marketing of animal-tested cosmetics.

Here in the United States, many cosmetic companies have stopped using animals in such tests, but others need incentive to make progress. The EU’s 2013 deadline sends a strong message to companies in Europe and America—and around the world—that it’s time to move away from inhumane animal tests and toward better, more human-relevant methods for testing cosmetics and other products.

Keeping the ban on track will also motivate companies worldwide to continue developing and implementing new test methods. These nonanimal methods are more accurate and cheaper than animal tests, in addition to being humane. That’s why the governments of Belgium, Austria, and Sweden recently reiterated their support for the EU’s 2013 deadline.

Most EU consumers oppose animal testing and want to be able to buy makeup, shampoo, and other cosmetics products without having to worry about animals being hurt or killed to develop the product. I join the many EU citizens and others worldwide who are concerned that delaying this ban will cause many thousands of animals to suffer and die to test blush and body lotion.

Please keep the 2013 deadline in place to encourage innovation in alternatives development.